Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the hon. Member for the question which once again gives me the opportunity to explain this issue about maison de transition and I must admit, it seems as though it has caught the attention of many and for good reasons. There was clearly un vide and this is precisely what we are endeavouring to correct. Et il est un fait que je me suis senti interpellé depuis un long moment by the fact that many people found themselves without homes, without a roof over their heads for various reasons. So, fate has it now that I am in a position that at least, even though I had taken note of this, I am now in a position to change it, and this is precisely what I have started to do. And I do not want to miss that opportunity to make use of this office for such a positive deed. I have already apprised Cabinet of my intention to come forward with the implementation of these maisons de transition, and it will, basically, consist of modular expandable housing units made out of metal structures. Some people even refer to them as expandable container homes. They will be built on plots of land, State land, where utility services are available. I have mentioned this in this august Assembly at the Sitting of 31 March 2026. This project concerns two other Ministries: the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity and that of Gender Equality and Family Welfare. I clearly would like to underline, once again, that I propose to meet with my two colleagues in order to coming forward with the policy framework. Concurrently, the Ministry of Finance is also being kept in the picture.

Thank you. Yes!

Merci, Madame la présidente. Can the Minister outline the main challenges that could be encountered in implementing transitional housing initiatives? Thank you.

I think this is a very good question. There are quite a few challenges, I must admit. I mean, the first thing that comes to mind, obviously, is money. That is one of the first challenges that all of us have to face when it comes to any such project. However, there are priorities in life, and one of the priorities of this government is to have roofs over people’s head, for those who do not have a roof. So, obviously, this is a priority. Now, we have to ensure that it is a project that sees the light of day. Another challenge that we face is also to find the appropriate plot of land. To find that appropriate plot of land, there is an exercise that is being carried out by officers of my Ministry and that of NHDC. The objective of that exercise is to identify the appropriate sites geotechnically, close to amenities and to transport. We do not want to be faced with problems such as no water, no waste, etc. So, therefore, it would be a situation where it is a plug and play, where the house is put there and the solution is there for everyone to utilise. But the third issue which we do have as well is that who are those who will have access to those homes. That is the reason why I will be working closely with my two colleagues from the two other Ministries in order to come up with a policy framework. Some have suggested that all people should be allowed to have access to those homes. As I said, Madam Speaker, this is a maison de transition, and what I understand it to be it, is it is an emergency home for an emergency situation. So, therefore, I would not want to use the right term, which is “a halfway home”. The halfway home is more specifically for those who come out from prison at a certain point in time or need a temporary home as a halfway measure, etc. This is specifically used for probation issues. I know what I am talking about. So, I do not want to use that term. I would say that those are homes that would be used temporarily, for a certain time, and the authorities, ministries and agencies, will have to accompany those people who are qualified to be there, to go to a permanent home. So, this is going to be a transition. There are many challenges.

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Puis-je savoir du ministre si les victimes de violence domestique, ainsi que les ex-détenus, pourront bénéficier de ce dispositif du logement transitoire ? Merci.

It is an interesting point. I do not want to pronounce myself on this at this particular juncture. It will be for my colleagues, together with my Ministry, and finally for the Cabinet to decide who will be those who will have access to those homes. Now, if it were in ideal world, then, everyone should have access to all facilities. But we have to ensure we use best practice of various other jurisdictions, that is, what is done in the OECD countries, in countries that neighbour Mauritius, such as South Africa, or what is done in Australia and in other countries. We will use best practice. But then, again, I would love to be able to go faster because, right now, it is only a theory. We would like to see it implemented. We have found two plots of land, one in Palma and one in Constituency No. 4.

In Palma?

Yes.

St. Croix!

Yes. It is not because we have those two hon. Members who are from there. It is just a coincidence. It just happens to be the case, apart from the fact that they have been ensuring that we find solutions. Those are the two plots of land that have been found, and we are finalising the analysis of the suitability. But it looks like it could be there.

Yes, your last question!

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. Will the hon. Minister state whether budgetary provisions will be made for transitional housing in the next financial year? En tout cas, bravo au ministre pour cette belle initiative réfléchie, qui permettra aux personnes vulnérables de retrouver stabilité et dignité. Merci.

If only I knew! Let me say one thing. There are projects that are urgent. There are those that are less urgent than others. So, obviously, I will have to go and submit before those responsible to ensure that we get the necessary budget. But this is a very important project. I will also be calling upon the private sector if ever there is a défaillance in that effect. We will find solutions.

Thank you. Yes!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can I ask the hon. Minister if he can enlighten the House on whether this transitional housing would also be extended to other constituencies, in particular Constituency No. 11, being given that the housing project in Constituency No. 11 has now come to a hold? Thank you.

I thought it was quite clear.

When I am talking about one project of transitional home, I am not talking about a hundred houses. I am not talking about huge number of houses. We are talking about maybe the possibility of having, at least, 15-20 houses in a locality. So, the intention is, yes, to be able to have this bank of houses for transitional purposes in many areas of Mauritius. If we could start with those two places and then gradually move to other areas of Mauritius, that would be the best-case scenario.

Yes, hon. Seeburn. GRAND SABLE FOOTBALL GROUND – LIGHTING FACILITIES – IMPLEMENTATION